Cutter



March 22, 193e.l

i M* 47 J6 w. s. JONES 2,112,026

CUTTER Filed Aug. l, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY March 22, 1938. w. s. JONES 2,112,026

` GUTTER Filed Aug, 1, 1935 2 sheets-'shew 2 [N VENTO/8.' Wzfyagzfz co'mw,

A TTORNE Y Patented Mar. 22, 1938 UNITED j STATES I PATENT OFFECE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to cuttersfor use in the severing of pipe.

More particularly thepresent invention has to do with that form of cutter which operates 5"within casing or tubing as-distinguished from that type ordinarilylcalled an outside cutter.

The present invention has for an object the provision of anV inside cutter, the parts of which are so arranged and constructed that freezing" `of the tool within thepipe during or after a cutting operation is prevented.

Another object of theinvention is the provision of a cutter of the character stated, which permits the cutter to. engage casing or tubing 15-to becutk or to be, released therefrom at the Will of the operator Without danger of breaking the cutter blades.

Another object is the provision of an inside type cutter, the `parts of which are so interrelated that unscrewing of thecasing pipe due to any faulty cutting operation is eectively overcome.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel means whereby the cutter may be quickly anchored by mere rotation of the cutter and released from said anchored `condition by longitudinal movement of the cutter.

Another object of the invention resides in the fact that the present cutter allows cuts to be gg-made at any Zone below the zone which has already been cut by first moving the tool longitudinally in one direction and then moving to the zone desired. This is a feature of importance because most cutters, so far as the invenf tor is aware, only permit an ascending action for the cutting operation, but not a descending action.

Other objects of the invention comprise a cutter which is novel in construction,` positive in its 4m operation, and not' likely to require frequent repair, and which will stand rough usage.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel and useful provision, formation, construction association, and in- 11-51-iterrelation of parts, members, and features, all

as shown in a certain embodiment in' the accompanying drawings, described generally, and more particularly pointed in the claims.

In the drawings: l

Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal view of the cutter withinV Well casing, the said cutter beingin inoperative position,

Figure 2. is a` fragmentary longitudinal'sectionalviewion an Aenlargedlscale of a portion of the;cuttenshownlin,.Figure 1,

(o1. 1er-0.4) y

Figure 3 is a further continued View in longitudinal section of thecutter shown in Figure 2 and showing the remaining portions of the cutter, said View being on the same scale as Figure 2, and

Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are sectional views taken on corresponding sections of Figures 2 and 3, respectively.

Referring now to the drawings, and specifically to Figures 2 and 3, I is a coupling having the usual threaded boxes 2 and 3, the threads at 2 being considerably coarser than the threads shown at 3, and drill pipe or the like d engages the threadsZ. Adapted to engage the threads 3 of the coupling is the pin portion 5 of a driving mandrel 6. This driving mandrel is formed with a centralbore l. The end 8 of the mandrel'is provided with a flange 9, the external diameter of which is greater than the external diameter of the body of the mandrel and this ange is internally screw-threaded at I0. What is` termed a cutter carrier II has the upper end thereof recessed at I2, this construction providing a flanged head I3. The cutter carrier proper comprises one or more, in the present instance three, equidistantly spaced members provided with dovetailed portions I4 at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the cutter carrier, considered as an entirety. A flanged nut I5 is received Within the recess l2 in threaded engagement with the threads Iii for holding-the cutter carrier to the driving mandrel '6. A wash pipe I6 in the present instance forms a continuation of the cutter carrier, the wash pipe having the usual longitudinal bore I'I communicating with a longitudinal bore Ila in the cutter carrier. The outermost end of the wash pipe is threaded at I8 for threaded engagement with a nose or plugA member I9 and this nose or plug member is provided with a longitudinal bore in alignment with the wash pipe bore, as shown at` 26.

The remaining portions of the invention are all built around the members just described. A flanged nut ZI is internally threaded at 22 to an annular body 23. This body' is provided with longitudinal slots 2G adapted to house elongated keys 25. These keys in turn are received within key ways 26 formed in the flange 8 of the driving mandrel and in the nut I5. The lowermost end ofthe body is internally screw-threaded at 21 and internally of the said body and above the threaded Zone 21 are one or more, in the present instance three, equidistantlyf spaced apart segmental flanges 28.;` The Vasegmental langesxn'v each instance are transversely channeled or bored, as shown at 29, and fitted within said channels or bores are individual cutters 30. In alignment with the channels or bores and the said cutters, are transverse openings or bores 3l in the body and through which openings or bores the cutters may project, as hereinafter set forth.

The inner end of each cutter is provided with a dove-tailed groove 32 adapted to cooperate with the dove-tails lll of the cutter carrier.

Surrounding the wash pipe lli is an annular nut 33, the upper end of which is threaded at 345, for engagement with the threads 2l. This nut is annularly grooved at 35. A slip carrier body 36 has its upper end reduced as to diameter and annularly grooved at 3l. Adapted for placement between ends of the nut 33 and of the slip carrier body 36 are roller bearings 38 confined in the usual bearing races. Means 39 is provided for holding the members 3S and 33 in position of assemblage, this said means including a split annulus provided with two spaced apart flanges adapted for reception within the annular lgrooves 35 and 3l. This split annulus in turn is maintained in position by a rod, wire, or the like 40, passed through circular bores in both portions of the annulus, in the well understood manner.

The slip carrier body is provided with one or more tapered dove-tail portions di, in the present instance three, and the construction is such that the portions of the slip carrier body carrying the dove tails is substantially triangular in transverse section, as shown in Figure 6. The lowermost end of the slip carrier body is formed with an annular flange 42. Movable upon the dove-tail portions 4I are slips d3 provided with dove-tailed slots bld. Each slip has pinned thereto a depending link d5, which link is passed through a slot 4S in the flange 52. Surrounding the wash pipe is an annular collar 4l provided with one or more slots 48 within which slots are received ends of the links 135, the links being pinned to said link collar. Below the link collar is a washer "39 and this washer is secured to the link collar by means 5B constituting a bolt threaded to the link collar and washer. Interposed between the washer i9 and a washer 5i is means 52. This means constitutes what is known as a friction arm support and comprises a linked annulus portion 53 surrounding the wash pipe and provided with upper and lower aligned radial arms 5d and 55, respectively. In the present instance, three equidistantly spaced upper and lower arms are provided, as shown in Figure '7. A pair of said arms will be described, the remaining arms being of like construction. Both upper and lower arms are transversely bored at 5t and 5l. A friction shoe 58, provided with upper and lower slotted arms 59 and til, is adapted to move relative to the arms 5f@ and 55, it being noted that the pins 55 and 51 pass through the slots 59 and 5S, respectively, so that its movement is positive. One or more coil springs iii lie between a friction shoe and the annulus 53, both members being suitably grooved to receive ends of said spring or springs. These springs normally urge the friction shoes away from the arm supports 54 and 55. The washers 9 and 5I are secured to the arms of the friction shoe support by welding or otherwise, as indicated for both washers at 62. The washer 5l is provided with a diametrical dove-tailed slot EES (see Figure l), and what is termed a tripping ring 64 has an end 65 thereof formed with a dove-tailed diametrical ange 66. This dovetailed flange ts within the dove-tailed slot to allow relative movement between the members 5| and 64. The tripping ring surrounds the wash pipe and is provided with a central bore 6l of greater diameter than the wash pipe. This tripping ring likewise is internally provided with screw-threads $8. The nose i9 is provided with a shank 559 having threads 7). The diameter of the shank is considerably less than the diameter of the threaded cavity 63 of the tripping ring. The threads of the shank are mutilated at 1l, and a leaf spring l2 has one end secured to the threaded shank at the mutilated Zone. The remaining portion of the spring bears against the threads 68 and normally urges the tripping ring in one direction, to-wit: a position such that a segment of the threads of the shank 69 will engage the threads 68 (see Figure 8).

Adapted to be interposed between a washer T3 and the nut 2l and surrounding the mandrel 6 is a coil spring lli. This spring 14 urges the various parts of the invention to assume the position shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The operation, uses and advantages of the invention just described are as follows:

If we assume that the tool has been lowered within casing l5, the said tool may be anchored in the casing at any Zone desired. Usually the cutter cuts at the frozen zone. However, with the present cutter, it is possible to make cuts at any zone, even below a zone which has already been out. Obviously, if the casing or tubing is cut at the frozen zone, it is a simple matter, .in the ordinary case, to remove all casing or tubing above the zone of freeze. However, all cutting operations are not simple and it becomes necessary to either release the cutter and ascend, to out further up, or descend, as the case may be. If we assume that the cutter is lowered within the casing, the parts will be in the position shown in Figure l, with the friction shoes engaging the inner surface of the casing. When the zone of the casing is reached, which it is desired to sever, the drill pipe ll is rotated to the right. The friction shoes will resist turning movement of the tripping ring, with the result that the nose i9 will rotate, due to its connection with the wash pipe, cutter carrier, the body 23, and the keyed relationship that exists between the body, the mandrel 6 and the coupling 2, with the result that the nose will be unthreaded from the tripping ring, and when this occurs, downward movement of the mandrel 6 will cause downward movement of the cutter carrier, its associated wash pipe, together with the nuts 33, and slip body 36, to move the slips 43 relative to the dove-tailed flanges lil and bring the slips into engagement with the casing. During this downward movement, the cutters 3U will move along the dovetailed flanges and outwardly of the openings in the body. As so far stated, it now becomes evident that the cutter is being held within the casing or tubing at a Zone below that which is to be cut, in that the slips are below the cutters. Upon rotation of the pipe fi to the right, and downward movement of the pipe to move the inandrel downwardly, the cutters are forcibly brought into engagement with the casing to sever the same. If for some reason itis impossible to remove the severed casing, it remaining frozen, upward movement of the mandrel will bring the teeth of the nose I9 into engagement with the tripping ring, with the result that the slips will be moved again to the position shown in Figure 3 and the cutters moved radially inwardly, as shown in Figure 2. The tool as an entirety may then be moved upwardly within the casing and a new out made.

It is important to note that no relative turning action occurs between the slip body, the slips, and the friction shoes, due to the member which holds them against any oating action. It is also important to note that the tripping ring releases upon turning of the ring and re-latches merely'upon upward movement of the tool, for the reason that the friction shoes still engage the casing. The friction ring always moves laterally due to the dove-tailed construction and the said spring 12 always urges the said movement in the plane of said dove-tail.

The friction shoe arrangement is such as to provide frictional engagement between the shoes and the inside of the casing, utilizing a short length shoe. Most of the cutters known to the inventor provide a long, bowed, spring. This is quite unnecessary with the present construction.

A feature of the invention resides in the fact that by suspending the cutter below that portion ofthe casing to be cut, it is possible to release the cutter by merely lifting the same whereas when a cutter is suspended in that portion of the casing that is to be out, after a cutting operation, difficulty may be encountered in removing the tool, for the reason that if the tool is revolved, say, to the right, to aid in this release, with the blades caught, the casing may turn along with' shown in Figures 2 and 3, and thus moves the cutter blades inwardly.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character disclosed: a driving mandrel, a tubular member secured to said mandrel, a member provided with an eX ternal threaded shank secured at one end of said tubular member, a disk surrounding said tubular member, a nut provided with internal threads and having a greater internal diameter than the external diameter of the threaded shank, means between said nut and said disk permitting transverse movement of said 'nut relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, means normally urging said nut into partially threaded engagement with said threaded shank, means secured to saidrdisk for frictionally engaging work whereby rotation of said mandrel and tubular member unscrews said threaded shank from said nut, and longitudinal movement of the mandrel and tubular means causes the said threads to again engage.

2. A cutter including a mandrel, a body in part surrounding and keyed to said mandrel, a cutter carrier conned within said body, cutters secured to the cutter carrier, said cutter carrier formed with an inclined face adapted to move the cutters outwardly of the body when the cutter carrier is moved in one direction, an elongated wash pipe secured to the cutter carrier, a slip body surrounding said wash pipe and rotatable relative to the body surrounding and keyed to the mandrel, slips carried by the slip body, friction means connected to the slips below the slip body and adapted for frictional engagement with work, a member secured to the lower end of the wash pipe provided with a threaded shank, and a member secured to the friction means and transversely movable relative to the axis of the wash pipe and provided with threads adapted to engage the threaded shank; said friction means Yhaving limited longitudinal movement relative to the slip body whenl the transversely movable member is unthreaded from the threaded shank.

WINFIELD SCOTT JONES. 

